Beyond Medical Bills: Calculating the True Cost of Your Personal Injury

When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the immediate medical bills are often just the beginning of your financial burden. Many don’t realize the full extent of compensation they may be entitled to after an accident.

“Insurance companies typically focus on immediate medical expenses when making settlement offers,” according to Chris Mova, a personal injury attorney based in California who founded his practice Mova Law Group Personal Injury Attorneys after experiencing the aftermath of an accident firsthand. “But this narrow view fails to account for the true financial impact of serious injuries.”

As a child, Mova suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. His immigrant parents accepted a quick $2,000 settlement, not realizing this decision would leave them financially responsible for years of speech therapy and rehabilitation.

This experience highlights a crucial reality: calculating the true cost of an injury requires looking beyond the initial medical bills.

Components of a Comprehensive Damage Calculation

A thorough assessment of personal injury damages in Oklahoma should include:

Current and Future Medical Expenses

Beyond emergency treatment and initial care, many injuries require ongoing medical attention. This may include:

• Follow-up appointments
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Future surgeries
• Prescription medications
• Medical equipment
• Home modifications

Lost Income and Earning Capacity

Injuries often impact your ability to work, both immediately and in the future:

• Wages lost during recovery
• Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous position
• Lost benefits and retirement contributions
• Diminished career advancement opportunities

Pain and Suffering

Oklahoma law recognizes that physical pain and emotional distress deserve compensation:

• Physical discomfort and pain
• Emotional and psychological trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Depression, anxiety, or PTSD resulting from the accident

Impact on Personal Relationships

Serious injuries can strain personal relationships in ways that have real value:

• Loss of consortium (impact on marital relationship)
• Diminished ability to care for and enjoy time with children
• Reduced ability to participate in family activities and responsibilities

The Long-Term Financial Picture

What might seem like a generous offer in the moment could be grossly inadequate for long-term needs, according to Mova. “In my own family’s case, that $2,000 settlement didn’t begin to cover the years of therapy I needed.”

For Oklahoma residents, it’s particularly important to consider the long-term picture due to the state’s comparative negligence laws, which can reduce compensation based on your percentage of fault in the accident.

Building a Comprehensive Claim

To ensure you receive fair compensation for the true cost of your injury:

1. Keep detailed records of all expenses related to your injury
2. Document how the injury has impacted your daily life and activities
3. Work with medical experts who can testify about future care needs
4. Consult with economic experts who can calculate lifetime earnings impact
5. Speak with an experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorney who understands local laws and courts

“Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize their payouts,” Mova pointed out. “Having someone who can accurately calculate and advocate for the true value of your claim is essential.”

Taking the Next Step

If you’ve been injured in Oklahoma, remember that the true cost of your injury extends far beyond your initial medical bills. Taking the time to fully understand and document all aspects of your damages is crucial before accepting any settlement offer.

By working with experienced legal counsel, you can ensure that any compensation you receive accurately reflects not just your current expenses, but the true lifetime cost of your injury.